Smoking devices



United States Patent [72] Inventor Edwin Law Kennebunk, Maine (c/oJonathan Law, Kennelbunkport, ME 04046) [21] Appl. No. 690,025

[22] Filed Dec. 12, 1967 [45] Patented Dec. 1, 1970 [54] SMOKING DEVICES6 Claims, 18 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 131/175, 131/179,13l/182,l3l/187 [51 Int. Cl A241 13/02,A24fl3/l0 [50] FieldofSearch 131/174,

Primary ExaminerJoseph SQ Reich Attorney-William H. Finckel, Jr.

ABSTRACT: A smoking device primarily for cigarettes and the like,comprising an ash tray provided with a holder for a cigarette or thelike extending upwardly therefrom in such a position that the ashes fromthe-cigarette or the like will fall into the tray as the cigarette orthe like is consumed, a smoking tube connected with the said holder andextending from and beyond the ash tray so that the smoker may mount thesmoking device relatively remote from his smoking position, a pluralityof adapter members of severally different interior sizes and formsassemblable with said holder for adapting the holder to the reception ofcigarettes and the like of different diameters andcross-sectionalshapes, means for affixing the device to a supportingmember, such as a table or bracket,

and, per choice, a pivotal connection between said holder and ash traywhereby the holder and tray may be folded into compact arrangement fordisposition in a constricted space such as a garment pocket or hand bag.

Patented Dec. 1, 1970 Sheet 1 of 1N VEN TOR.

SMOKING DEVICES The present invention embodies modifications of, andimprovements over, the similar devices disclosed in the U.S. Pat. ofJames P. Kiernan, No. 2,093,760, granted Sept. 21, 1937; and applicantsown U.S. Pat. No. 2,910,986, grantedNov. 3, 1959.

A primary object of the" invention is to provide means for modernizingthe smoking device of the Kiernan patent just above referred to so thatit will accommodate not only cigarettes of the conventional, orstandard, type of rather large diameter but also the more modern typesof smaller diameter, filter tip cigarettes, extra length cigarettes, andcigarettes of oval shape in cross section.

Another object of the invention is, broadly, smoking device including anash tray and a holder for a cigarette or the like which may be locatedadjacent to the smoker and is provided with a tube, preferably offlexible type, connected with the holder and provided with a mouthpieceand through which smoke is drawn from the cigarette or the like to themouth of thesmoker, thus making possible mounting of the smoking deviceon a table, bracket or other support relatively remote from the smokerand facilitating smoking without the danger of fire from hot ashes andsparks falling from the cigarette or the like onto the clothing, bedclothes, furniture upholstery and the like often present in smoking byto provide a I invalids, disabled persons and others who cannot readilyserve themselves.

Another object is to provide a smoking device of the type referred to,the holder of which is foldable into proximity to the ash tray so thatwhen the device is not in use it may be disposed in compact form forcarrying in the owners clothing pocket,.hand bag or the like.

A further object is to make the device suitable for. the reception of avariety of shapes and sizes of cigarettes now extant and hereafterdeveloped, such as those of small diameter, oval shape in cross section,more than normal length, and filter type, and also for cigars and foraccommodation of a pipe bowl member, these modifications being effectedby the provision of a plurality of adapters for selective accommodativeattachment to the holder. v

Another object is to provide meansin the holder for the ejectiontherefrom of the butt of a cigarette or the like, such means beingeffective whether the cigarette or the like is inserted in the holderproper or in a selected adapter attached thereto.

The length of some cigarettes, and of cigars, is such that the ashesfalling therefrom during smoking might not be caught in the ash tray ofthe device in its normal size, and to accommodate the device to thisfurther eventuality another object is to provide a supplementary ashtray member larger than that of normal size for disposition beneath andconnection to the normal ash tray. 4

Still another object is to adapt the device for attachment to a stand,bracket, table, or other support, not only to insure that it will not bedisplaced, particularly when used by a disabled person, but also toguard against theft. Moreover, such attachment will preferably be of anature releasable at the will of authorized persons, so that the devicemay be appropriately cleansed and sterilized, particularly in its use inthe rooms of hospitals and other public accommodations, as on a bedsidetable or other support, this attachment being provided for by a knockoutarea in the ash tray for the reception of a bolt or the like, thesecuring means of which, such as a wing nut, may be sealed or lockedagainst removal.

With these and other objects in view, the invention comprises a smokingdevice including an ashtray, a holder for a cigarette or the likeassembled with said tray. and extending upwardly therefrom, a flexibletube extending'outwardly from said tray in suction-affording connectionwith said holder, said holder having an internal diameter preferablysuch as to snugly fit the end portion of a chosen type of cylindricalcigarette and furnishing a suction-affording assembly of such cigarettetherein, adapter means assemblable with and extending beyond the outerend of said holder and serving to adapt the holder to cigarettes or thelike of diameters and crosssectional form different from thataforementioned,cigarette butt ejector means set axially within theholder and affording a fixed connection with said ash tray and withrespect to which the holder is axially slidable to an extent sufficientto eject a butt from the holder, means rigidly but removably mountingsaid smoking device upon a suitable support, and a supplementary ashtray of greater area than the tray of said device and capable ofassembly therewith to adapt the device to service with extra longcigarettes and cigars, all as will be explained hereinafter and finallyclaimed.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention, in the severalFIGS. of which like parts are similarly designated:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the smoking device with a part of thesmoking tube broken away and showing one type of adapter assembled withthe cigarette holder;

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation of the device taken substantially on theline 2-2 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 2a is a fragmentary sectional elevation of a modified form of theinvention in which an adapter member is applied to a smoking device ofknown form;

FIG. 2b is a view similar to FIG. 2a but showing the parts in adifferent adjustment;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are, respectively, a top plan view, a bottom plan view,and a sectional side elevation view, with parts broken away and shown insection of another type of adapter particularly for the reception of aso-called oval type of cigarette;

FIG. 6 is a sectional side elevation of an adapter for the reception ofa cigar or cigarillo;

FIG. 7 is a sectional side elevation of an adapter in the form of a pipebowl;

FIG. 8 shows, in sectional side elevation, a modification of the meansof connection between the ash tray and the cigarette holder, sameincluding a ball and socket joint for pivotal mounting of the saidholder whereby it may be folded into close proximity to the ashtray;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional side elevation of a modified form ofball and socket joint forconnection of the cigarette holder with the ashtray;

FIG. 10 is a sectional side elevation view, with parts broken away andshown in section, on a smaller scale, showing one form of means forfixedly assembling the smoking device with a suitable support such as atable top;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 but showing the device attached toanother from of support such as a bracket;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the device as attachedto a bracket secured to a supporting member such as the steering columnof an automobile, a bed post or the like;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view, on a scale similar to that of FIGS. 10 to12, showing the smoking device assembled with a supplementary ash trayof larger diameter than that of the device itself;

FIG. 14 is substantially a diametrical sectional view of the parts shownin FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a rear elevation of the supplementary tray shown in FIGS. 13and 14 and illustrating one embodiment of means for providing aconnection between said tray and the smoking device; and

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15, but showing another embodiment ofthe connection means.

Having reference particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen that thedevice of the invention includes an ash tray 1 preferably in the form ofa relatively heavy, and normally stable, metal disc having its uppersurface of dished form and provided with a screw-threaded angularlydisposed, socket 2 for the reception of the complementallyscrew-threaded lower end of the holder supporting tubular member orcylinder 3 on which is mounted for axial sliding movement the cigaretteholder member 4 guided at its upper endby the cigarette butt ejectormember 5 which is rigidly mounted upon the upper end of the supportingcylinder 3 by a hollow rivet 6 having its head 7 engaging a shoulder 8formed in the bore of the cylinder 3 and its shank press-fitted into thebore 10 of the ejector member 5 the lower end of which bears against theupper face of the shoulder 8. Between the upper end of the cylinder 3and a shoulder 11 formed interiorly of the cigarette holder member 4 isarranged a return spring 12 which serves normally to force the cigaretteholder member 4 into its outwardly extended position, the outwardmovement of the said holder member 4 being limited by a head 13 on theouter end of the ejector member 5 which engages the upper face of theshoulder member 11. This head 13 is provided with a screwdrivervnotch 14by means of which a screwdriver may be employed to assemble anddisassemble the cigarette holder proper in the ash tray.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the diameter of the interiorof the cigarette holder member 4 and of the head 13 of the ejectormember 5 is such as to form a socket having a relatively tight,suction-affording, fit with a cigarette of the smallest diameternormally used. Thus, when such a cigarette is used no adapter member forthe holder member 4 is necessary. When, however, a cigarette of largerdiameter is used an adapter member 15 may be screwed onto thescrew-threaded end of the holder member 4, as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,and the lower end of such cigarette will seat against the upper endofthe holder member 4, as indicated in broken lines.

It will be apparent that provision -is made for sufficient downwardsliding-movement of the holder member 4 to accomplish ejection of thecigarette butt from either the socket of the holder member 4 or from thesocket portion of the applied adapter 15, and this will be accomplishedsimply by grasping with the fingers either of these members 4 or 15 andsliding the holder member 4 downwardly upon the ejector member 5 againstthe pressure of the spring 12, and, obviously, release of the holdermember 4 will permit the spring 12 to return it to its normalcigarette-holding position.

It should be here noted that the screw thread at the outer end of theholder member 4 is purposely quite fine and that the surface oftheadapter 15 (FIG. 1) is knurled thus to afford a firm grip of the fingersupon either of these parts without the exertion of undue pressure, andthis is important in relation to users with tender or sensitive skin,nervous persons and invalids.

The bores of the supporting cylinder 3, rivet 6 and ejector member 5form an adequate suction-affording passage between the cigarette-holdingportion of the holder member 4 (and an applied adapter, if one is used)and a counterbore 16 in the ash tray 1 which intersects the socket 2 isscrewthreaded to receive the complementally screw-threaded end ofaferrule 17 which is shouldered at 18 for abutment against the peripheryof the ash tray 1 and serves to connect in suction-affording assemblythe flexible smoking tube 19 which is provided with a mouthpiece 20.

It will be understood that any of the adapters 21, 22 and 23 shown inFIGS. 3 to 5, 6 and 7, respectively, or others as circumstances maydictate, may be substituted for the adapter 15, and that, particularlyas related to the adapters of FIGS. 3 to 5, and 6, the ejector member 5will serve to eject the butt of a cigarette or the like from the holder.7

In FIGS. 20 and 2b the adapter means of the invention are of such form,and so applied to the cigarette holder member 4a of a smoking device ofknown form, such as that shown in the US. Pat. of Kiernan, No. 2,093,760hereinabove referred to, as to permit effective functioning of such asmoking device when used with cigarettes of diameters less than thosewhich have for years been conventional. In such known smoking devicesthe internal diameter ofthe cigarette holder 4:: is such as to form aproper suction-affording fit with the end portion of a conventionalcigarette, but it will not provide such a fit with the presently popularsmall-diameter, extra long, and filter tip cigarettes.

Therefore, to answer the need presented by use of the smoking devicewith such last named types of cigarette the adapter 15a is provided witha socket portion having a constricted outer end portion 15b which willeffect a proper suction-affording fit with the end portions of suchcigarettes. Obviously, such cigarettes may be inserted to an extent tocontact their ends with the outer face of the head 13a of the ejectormember, and ejection may be effected by sliding the holder 4a downwardlyupon the cylinder 3 in a manner similar to that described in relation toFIG. 2.

Inasmuch as the outer end portion of the adapter will not be reached bythe head 13a of the ejector member during the ejecting operation, theconstricted portion 15b will preferably be chamfered as shown at 15c toaid in release of the cigarette butt and usually to permit it to topplefrom the holder.

As indicated in FIG. 2b, the adapter member 15a may, if necessary ordesired, be adjusted upon the screw thread at the end of the holder 4ato afford adequate extension of insertion of the end portion of thecigarette in the holder.

It will be understood that adapters of the types shown in FIGS. 3 to 5,6 and 7, and others as need may arise, may be in forms to be applied tothe cigarette holder shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b. Hence, smoking devices ofthe aforementioned known type, now in use or to be used, may be ,somodified as to accommodate all types of cigarettes, and also cigars andcigarillos, and pipe bowls.

Referring to FIG. 2, particularly, it will be seen that the angle atwhich the holder member 4 projects upwardly from the ash tray 1 servesto so locate the burning end of the cigarette-throughout its smoking ata position above the ash traywhich will serve to deposit the fallingashes and sparks in said tray. However, referring to FIGS. 13 to 16, itwill be seen that the device is adapted to the reception of extra longcigarettes, and also cigars, by the provision of a supplementary tray 24having an upstanding rim 25 and in which the ash tray 1 of the device isdisposed in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the rim 25 ofthe supplementary tray 24 and is secured in such position by engagementof the shoulder 18 of the ferrule 17 of the smoking tube 19 with theouter periphery of such rim 25, either in a slot 26, FIGS. 14 and 15, ora circular opening 27, FIG. 16, provided in such rim 25 for reception ofthe screw-threaded end of the ferrule 17 and being of such size that theshoulder 18 cannot pass through but will abut against the rim inclamping engagement therewith.

Obviously, when the supplementary tray of FIG. 16 is employed, theferrule 17 of the tube 19 will have to be completely removed from theash tray I, inserted through the opening 27 in the rim 25, and screwedback into the ash tray. But when the supplementary tray of FIG. 15 isused it is merely necessary to back off the shoulder 18 of theferrule 17sufficiently to permit entrance of the ferrule into the slot 26 and thenseat the shoulder 18 of the ferrule against the rim 25.

Referring to FIG. 8, it will be seen that the means for supporting thecigarette holder upon the ash tray includes means whereby the cigaretteholder may be folded down into close relation to the'ash. tray tothereby make the device more compact for carrying upon the person of theuser, as in a garment pocket, hand bag or other depository. In the formshown, the supporting member 28 for the holder member 4 includes a balland socket joint the ball 29 of which seats in the lip 30 of a collar 31interiorly screw-threaded at 32 for engagement therewith a ball-engagingsealing member 33. It will be apparent that the diameter of thescrew-threaded portion 32 of the collar 31 is such that it may beslipped over the screwthreaded end of the supporting member 28 andthence into engagement of its lip 30 with the surface of the ball 29.

In the modification shown in FIG. 9, the parts 31 and 33 of the FIG. 8form of joint will be replaced by a drawn sheetmetal socket member 34having its' lower rim or skirt 35 spun into. appropriate retaining andsealing engagement with the ball, a slot 36 being provided in its wallso that, upon folding down of the cigarette holder member it will clearthe neckedin portion of the supporting member 28. At its upper, orouter, end, the socket member is enlarged to provide seating for asweated-in screw-threaded collet 37 into which is screwed the lower endof the cigarette holder supporting member or cylinder.

In order that the device may be secured to a table, bracket, or othersupport, the ash tray is-so made that its center portion is relativelythin, and in this portion a series of spaced cuts 38 (see FIGS. 1 and2), preferably circularly arranged, is provided to define a knockout 39similar to those employed in electrical outlet boxes and by which anopening may be formed. As shown in FIG. 10, a bolt 40 passed throughsuch opening and through a mating opening in a table or other furnituretop 41, with its head engaging the surface of the ash tray, will besecured as by a wing nut 42, or the like, bearing against the under faceof the table top. As shown in FIG. 11, a similar arrangement may beemployed in respect to a suitable bracket 43, and in FIG. 12 such abracket may be a part of, and adjustable with respect to, attachmentmeans for disposition of the device adjacent to the steering wheel of anautomobile, for example on the steering column 44, and a similar bracketmight be used on the bedpost of a metal, or other, bed.

Referring further to FIGS. and 11, it will be seen that the bolt 40 hasa transverse opening near outer end, as indicated at 45, for attachmentof means for locking the device against detachment from its mounting andits possible theft, particularly when it is furnished in publicaccommodations. In FIG. 10 the locking means is shown as a more or lessconventional wire seal 46, and in FIG. 11 it is shown as a small padlock47.

Means, not shown, for providing a knockout in the supplementary tray 24similar to that of the ash tray 1, but appropriately disposed radiallyinward from the opening 26 or 27, may be provided for furnishing anopening to insure proper relative disposition of the trays l and 24 incombination, especially when they are rigidly mounted on a support,

Iclaim:

1. In a smoking device, an ash tray, a holder for a cigarette or thelike assembled with and extending above the said tray, and a flexiblesmoking tube extended outwardly from said tray and in suction affordingconnection with said holder, said holder comprising a tubular supportingmember affixed to said tray and in communication with said tube, atubular cigarette holder member mounted for axial sliding movement onsaid supporting member, a cigarette butt ejector member disposedinteriorly of said holder member and in fixed relation to saidsupporting member, and resilient means reacting between said buttejector member and said holder member for normally maintaining saidholder member in upwardly extended position but permitting its downwardsliding for butt ejection, said holder member having an internaldiameter substantially consonant with the outer diameter of a chosentype of cigarette and providing a socket for the retention of the lowerend of said cigarette within the upper end portion of said holder memberin suction affording assembly and in ejecting proximity to the upper endof said butt ejector member, and an adapter member removably and rigidlyattached to the upper end of said holder member and having a socketportion for the reception in suction affording assembly of a type ofcigarette having a different diameter or cross-sectional shape from thatadapted for reception by the socket of the holder member and said socketportion extending above the upper end of said holder member, saidsupporting member being of sufficient length so that said holder memberand the rigidly attached adapter member are downwardly reciprocable uponsaid supporting member to an extent sufficient to substantially eject acigarette butt from the socket of said holder member and from the socketportion of said adapter member.

2. In a smoking device as defined in claim 1, means in the assemblybetween said holder and tray which will permit pivotal movementtherebetween so that the holder may be disposed in compact relation tothe tray substantially parallel thereto to thereby adapt the device torelatively flat-folded form for disposition in a constricted space suchas a garment pocket or hand bag 3. In a smoking device as defined inclaim 2, said pivotal movement permitting means including a ball andsocket joint.

4. In a smoking device, an ash tray and means for providing a holdermounted in said tray for receiving a cigarette or the like in smokingposition with the consumable end of the cigarette overlying the area ofthe tray, a smoking tube extending from the ash tray and insuction-affording connection with said holder and having a shoulderedferrule abuttable against the periphery of said tray, and asupplementary ash tray oflarger area than that of said device anddesigned to accommodate the device to the smoking of relatively longcigarettes, and of cigars, the ashes from the extreme ends of whichmight fall outside the area ofthe tray of the device, said supplementarytray being provided with an upstanding rim for engagement on itsinterior periphery with the exterior periphery of the ash tray of thedevice, said upstanding rim being provided with an aperture for thereception of the ferrule of said smoking tube, and a portion of said rimadjacent to said opening being engageable by the shouldered portion ofsaid ferrule to secure the two ash trays together.

5. In a smoking device as defined in claim 4, the said aperture being inthe form of a slot of a width of less dimension than that of theshouldered portion of said ferrule and extending through the upper edgeof said rim.

6. In a smoking device as defined in claim 4, the said aperture being inthe form of a circular opening of less diameter than that of the saidshouldered portion of the ferrule.

